Gabrielle Patricia Konin MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Suzanne S. Long MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniel M. Walz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Viviane Khoury MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Adam C. Zoga MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

William B. Morrison MD, Abstract Co-Author: Medical Advisory Board, ONI Medical Systems, Inc Medical Advisory Board, General Electric Company Consultant, Apriomed AB

Radiology reports are the primary means of communication between radiologists and referring physicians. These reports have been under scrutiny by referring physicians, radiologists, and large organizations, including the RSNA regarding formatting techniques and language. With a focus on musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology reports, specifically MRI of the knee, we aim to determine what reporting style referring physicians and the MSK radiologists creating these reports prefer. 

3 styles of reports were created for MRI of the knee: 1) structured report based on anatomy, 2) structured report based on joint compartments, 3) unstructured descriptive report. The reports included equivalent content. For these reports, only the “findings” section of the report was included and the remainder of the report was omitted, as these parameters do not change significantly. Each report style was applied to the most common type of knee pathology encountered: 1) acute injury, 2) chronic pain. These reports were emailed to MSK radiologists and referring physicians along with a questionnaire to determine demographic features and report preference. 

Of 40 MSK radiologist respondents (average age 43), the majority (22/40, 55%, avg age 40) favored the structured-anatomy report style, compared to 8/40 (20%, avg age 43) preferring the structured-compartmental style and 10/40 (25%, avg age 48) the non-structured style. Of 56 referring physician respondents (average age 44), the majority (41/56, 75%, avg age 43) favored the structured-anatomy report style, compared to 8/56 (14%, avg age 42) preferring the structured-compartmental style and 6/56 (11%, avg age 48) the non-structured style.     

Structured reporting is favored among both MSK radiologists and referring clinicians. Referring clinicians prefer a structured-anatomy based report rather than the template based on compartments. Different factors influence radiologist preference regarding reporting style; age does not appear to be relevant. Overall preference is driven by perceptions (correct or incorrect) as to what the referring physician desires. The main factor influencing referring physician preference for structured reporting is readability.    

As contact between radiologists and referring physicians diminishes, communication through a clear, concise and accurate structured report is in our best interest as MSK radiologists.

Konin, G, Long, S, Walz, D, Khoury, V, Zoga, A, Morrison, W, Radiology Reporting: Is There a “Best” Practice?.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12043578.html